Music Theory Resource Book [Spiral-bound] Review

"Music Theory Resource Book" by Harold Owen is a fantastic, creative approach to teaching music theory that emphasizes the development of musical skills that students can apply in a practical manner in any setting they choose, whether it be in the music industry or in graduate school. The book not only covers issues such as renaissance and medieval theory and notation in-depth, but also provides knowledge about MIDI note numbers and how to read piano-roll style notation in a sequencer. While this book would be a great book for a first-time student of music theory in a college or university, it is also good for people wishing to review (such as graduate theory review, a course I've taught). In addition, it's a fantastic review for those who teach theory and composition -- the chapter on notation (Chapter 2 - The Notation of Music) is something every composer should have at their disposal -- especially beginning composition students in a college setting. Especially useful for composition students (and all music students for that matter) are the two chapters on the music of the twentieth century -- the first on techniques developed in the first half of the century and the second on techniques developed in the second half of the century. Every chapter has something for everyone -- the chapter on "The Anatomy of Chords" not only describes the type of chord nomenclature found in the typical college theory classroom (Roman numerals and figured bass), but also includes a thorough section on chord symbols used in jazz and popular music -- something all musicians are bound to encounter in the real world. As someone who teaches music theory in a university setting, I've found this book to be a valuable resource. Too often, theory books use short excerpts to demonstrate a chord or principle. However, every chapter in this book begins with complete sections (and often entire movements) of musical works from the literature -- this helps to put the chord or principle being studied into context, something I find very important. I highly recommend this book.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Music Theory Resource Book [Spiral-bound]

Product Description:
Music Theory Resource Book covers all the topics typically studied in the basic music theory sequence. Concise and accessible, it features a basic anthology of musical examples--most of them complete compositions--from a broad range of periods and styles. Each chapter begins with these musical examples, which are followed by thought-provoking discussion questions that encourage readers to learn through a "discovery" approach. A succinct outline follows the discussion questions, summarizing the principles of music theory for easy reference and review. Exercises at the end of each chapter engage readers in a variety of analytical and practical tasks ranging in difficulty from simple to challenging. This volume includes subjects not usually found in standard theory books including basic acoustics, contrapuntal techniques, jazz harmony, musics from non-Western cultures, and music since 1950.

Buy cheap Music Theory Resource Book [Spiral-bound] now Get 10% OFF

The American Songbook: The Singers, Songwriters & The Songs [Hardcover] Review

"Ken Bloom's superb The American Songbook has the unique quality of service to two distinct audiences. Readers of a certain age will enjoy hours of pleasure recalling the music of their lives and responding to the inevitable impulse to listen to records they haven't played for years. Young people like those in my university musical theater courses will encounter the music and the people who made it- in their historical contexts- and will be led maze-like to new experiences as they seek out films and recordings in libraries and nostalgia bins. And not least, The American Songbook will help extend the great contributions of Bloom's subjects into the new century."

Click Here to see more reviews about: The American Songbook: The Singers, Songwriters & The Songs [Hardcover]

Product Description:
Presented in the striking format of Ken Bloom's successful Broadway Musicals, this rich visual history of popular song covers all of the prominent figures behind the music, in front of the bandstand, and on top of the piano. "The Singers" includes Louis Armstrong, Tony Bennett, Barbara Cook, Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Ella Fitzgerald, and dozens more; " The Songwriters" features Harold Arlen, Hoagy Carmichael, Dorothy Fields, Stephen Foster, Richard Rodgers, Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, Jerome Kern, and a host of others; a lively section discusses the Big Bands; and a decade-by-decade insert puts the entire history of popular music in perspective through words and pictures.

Each one of the more than 200 listings in the book features the artist's personal and professional history, great songs, and important contributions, plus photos (many rare), record covers, anecdotes, quotes, and more. Sidebars and features throughout cover topics of interest-everything from Arrangers, Vocal Groups, and Keepers of the Flame to Tin Pan Alley, Parodists, and Classical Crossovers-making this the most thorough survey of its kind. Throughout, all of the great songs are discussed-literally hundreds of songs, from "Stardust" to "My Funny Valentine" to "White Christmas." Illustrated biographies, discographies, chronologies, and indices make The American Songbook a full-fledged reference as well as a pictorial feast.

Buy cheap The American Songbook: The Singers, Songwriters & The Songs [Hardcover] now Get 34% OFF

Acoustic and MIDI Orchestration for the Contemporary Composer: A Practical Guide to Writing and Sequencing for the Studio Orchestra [Paperback] Review

I wrote a detailed review a couple of weeks ago that gave this book a three star rating.It was not vulgar or inappropriate in any way, yet it was completely deleted.However, I just received an email from Amazon soliciting my opinion once again!

In short, the book has some decent information on sequencing techniques, though some of it just demonstrates a firm grasp of the obvious, i.e., "use controller messages to add expression" and other similar gems.

The orchestration part of the book covers the rhythm section (don't over quantize) as well as the various sections of the orchestra and how to sequence those instruments realistically.The book does not cover how to combine instruments from the various sections. Stings + woodwinds anyone?You will have to look elsewhere for that type of information.

Recommended for beginners.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Acoustic and MIDI Orchestration for the Contemporary Composer: A Practical Guide to Writing and Sequencing for the Studio Orchestra [Paperback]

Product Description:
Get complete guidance on both traditional orchestration and modern production techniques with this unique book. With effective explanations and clear illustrations, you will learn how to integrate the traditional approach to orchestration with the modern sequencing techniques and tools available. You will discover how to bridge the two approaches in order to enhance your final production.

The accompanying CD includes a comprehensive and wide selection of examples, templates and sounds to allow you to hear the techniques within the book.

By covering both approaches, this book provides a comprehensive and solid learning experience that will develop your skills and prove extremely competitive in the music production business.

* Complete orchestration manual covering both traditional and modern techniques
* Versatile, non-software specific, perfect choice for professionals and colleges
* Accompanying DVD with examples, templates and sounds brings techniques to life

Buy cheap Acoustic and MIDI Orchestration for the Contemporary Composer: A Practical Guide to Writing and Sequencing for the Studio Orchestra [Paperback] now Get 10% OFF

Cats of Any Color: Jazz, Black and White [Paperback] Review

Gene Lees strikes me as one of the more level-headed individuals in jazz. Like it or not, the hard-core jazzword is these days filled with elitists, racists (mostly reverse thesedays), and people protecting their "territory."When I see the doings andhear the rantings of the likes of Stanley Crouch and other pretentious writers and "social critics," I am reminded of the character ofMax Mercy from Bernard Malamud's novel (and the movie) The Natural...Mercyisn't interested in baseball and has never played a game, but stirring upcontroversy using baseball as his medium keeps him in the spotlight andmakes him rich.Crouch is much the same way--would any of us have heard ofhim, would he have a tenth of his current income and notoriety were he notclutching the coattails of a currently well-known jazz musician?Lees'discussion of Crouch, of other figures in jazz history, and his inside stories about the jazz world and the psyches within it are like a bucket of cold water to most of what passes for jazz scholarship today.But don't get the impression this is a kiss-and-tell book, or something scandalous.Mr. Lees is actually a rather level headedindividual.A must read for anyone not in any "camp" ordefending any "turf" but who just loves music and musicians and realizes that jazz, like any art, is a mixture and mixing that quickly becomes so intricate it's impossible for any one group to claim they "own" it.Too bad there are only two other reviews of this book on Amazon's page as of this writing.I can see people would rather believe the hypola histories instead.Too bad...

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cats of Any Color: Jazz, Black and White [Paperback]



Buy cheap Cats of Any Color: Jazz, Black and White [Paperback] now Get 15% OFF

Jazz Composition: Theory and Practice (Berklee Press) [Paperback] Review

Ted Pease has been teaching jazz composition at Berklee for 25 years, and it shows in "Jazz Composition". I was amazed at how easily Pease broke down the process of writing and composing great jazz pieces. The CD was for me, the most influential component due to the fact that it includes music-writing exercises that have greatly inhanced my writing ability. This book is a must have for any student in a theory class.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Jazz Composition: Theory and Practice (Berklee Press) [Paperback]

Product Description:
When you think of jazz composers, who comes to mind? Jelly Roll Morton, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus, Bob Brookmeyer. This book is about what they (and many others) do. Jazz composition has evolved into a disciplined art that often evidences great emotional depth and breadth of sophistication. Berklee College of Music legend Ted Pease demystifies the processes involved in writing jazz tunes and in composing episodic and extended jazz works. Jazz Composition: Theory and Practice is a by-product of Pease's 25 years of teaching jazz composition. The accompanying CD helps demonstrate melody, harmony and rhythmic elements of jazz and also includes a variety of music-writing exercises focused on learning these same elements to help you begin producing your own effective jazz compositions.

Buy cheap Jazz Composition: Theory and Practice (Berklee Press) [Paperback] now Get 34% OFF